is one of the four major karate styles and was founded by Hironori à Âtsuka (1892âÂÂ1982). à Âtsuka was a Menkyo Kaiden licensed Shindà  Yà Âshin-ryà « practitioner of Tatsusaburo Nakayama and a student of Yà Âshin-ryà « prior to meeting the Okinawan karate master Gichin Funakoshi. After having learned from Funakoshi, and after their split, with Okinawan masters such as Kenwa Mabuni and Motobu Chà Âki, à Âtsuka merged Shindà  Yà Âshin-ryà « with Okinawan karate. The result of à Âtsuka's efforts is Wadà Â-ryà « Karate.
As such, Wadà Â-ryà « places emphasis on not only striking, but tai sabaki, joint locks and throws. It has its origins within Shindà  Yà Âshin-ryà « jujitsu, as well as Shotokan, Tomari-te and Shito-Ryu karate.
The name Wadà Â-ryà « has three parts: Wa, dà Â, and ryà «. Wa means "harmony," dà  (same character as tao) means "way," and ryà « means "school" or "style". Harmony should not be interpreted as pacifism; it is simply the acknowledgment that yielding is sometimes more effective than brute strength, which founds the art's mentality in fighting. Additionally, Kanji Wa (Ã¥ÂÂ) used is also a Kanji for Japan, due to the influence of Japanese Jujutsu in Wadà Â-Ryà «, meant in contrast to the other karate styles originating from Okinawa.
To the untrained observer, Wadà Â-ryà « might look similar to other styles of karate, like its parent school of Shotokan. Most of the underlying principles, however, were derived from Shindà  Yà Âshin-ryà «, an atemi waza focused style of Jujutsu. Indeed, from one point of view, Wadà Â-ryà « might be considered a style of Jà «jutsu rather than Karate. Hironori à Âtsuka embraced jujitsu and was its chief instructor for a time. When à Âtsuka first registered his school with the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai in 1938, the style was called "Shinshu Wadà Â-ryà « Karate-Jà «jutsu," a name that reflects its hybrid character.
Additionally, there are noticeable differences in the katas compared to other styles such as Shà Âtà Âkan. Wadà Â-Ryà « katas have a lighter, less powerful appearance and are economical in movement. Defensive techniques do not block an opponentâÂÂs attack, but rather redirect it.
Similar to Shotokan Karate, Wadà Â-ryà « employs linear striking, but forgoes with Shotokan's aggressive approach. Instead, Wadà Â-ryà « opts tai sabaki (often incorrectly referred to as 'evasion') as its key principle. The Japanese term can be translated as "body-management," and refers to body manipulation so as to move the defender as well as the attacker out of harm's way. The way to achieve this is to 'move along' rather than to 'move against'âÂÂor harmony rather than physical strength. Using these principles, the energy of the attack is diverted and evaded, and then or simultaneously countered with joint-locking, throwing, or striking techniques. The technical execution is subject to the following principles:
Wadà Â-ryà « is also characterised by a higher body position and stances than in other Karate styles.
Modern karate competition tends to transform Wadà Â-ryà « away from its roots towards a new generic karate that appeals more to the demands of both spectators and competitors.
A block in Wadà  may look much like a block in Goju/Uechi ryu, but they are executed from different perspectives.
While the core principles (at least with regard to the transmission of body mass into punches) of turning on the heel remain in Wadà Â, as it is the fastest way to push the hips in the direction of attack, the progression to the ball of the foot is a hallmark of the style.
Kata are predefined, specific patterns of movement that incorporate and encapsulate martial techniques, concepts, and applications. Wadà Â-Ryà « takes a different approach to kata training than other styles. à Âtsuka Hironori adopted the katas from Gichin Funakoshi, but used a different kanji for the term kata. In Wadà Â-Ryà «, he replaced the meaning of original mold or template (Japanese Ã¥ÂÂ) of the kata in Shà Âtà Âkan with the meaning of symbol (Japanese å½¢). This means that the practitioner should not always aim for the same form of a kata, but rather allow and even encourage changes to a kata due to the age and other individual characteristics of the karateka.
In his 1977 book on Wadà Â-ryà « (published in English in 1997), à Âtsuka declared only nine official kata for Wadà Â-ryà «: Pinan Nidan, Pinan Shodan, Pinan Sandan, Pinan Yodan, Pinan Godan, Kà «shankà «, Naihanchi, Seishan and Chintà Â. However, after his death, other organizations of the style have added other forms, such as unsu and kumpu. However, it can be said that all individual kata originate from Shuri-te.
As such, The exact movements of a kata often vary from one organization to another, and even from one school to another within the same organization. The variations can range from significant deviations apparent to the untrained observer to very subtle minutiae.
Kata associated with Wadà Â-ryà « include:
In addition to the solo kata listed above, many Wadà Â-ryà « schools also practice paired kata, which reflects its jujutsu heritage. These paired kata are performed by two people (one as the attacker and one as the defender), demonstrating a range of self-defense techniques. The paired kata of Wadà Â-ryà « often vary from one organisation from another, because à Âtsuka did not standardise them. The paired kata are:
In addition to the three paired kata above, there are also Gyakunage Kata (kata of throwing), Joshi Goshinjutsu (kata of women's self-defense), Kodokan Goshin Jutsu & some others, but they are not commonly taught.
Wadà Â-ryà « uses a typical karate belt order to denote rank. The beginner commences at 9th or 10th kyà « (depending on the organisation and school) and progresses to 1st kyà «, then from 1stâÂÂ5th dan for technical grades. The ranks of 6thâÂÂ10th dan are honorary ranks. Although some other karate styles add stripes to their belt for the dan ranks, Wado-ryà « practitioners tend not to follow that practice.
The rank at which Wado practitioners are first able to teach is usually 3rd dan, but this depends on the organisation. Some Wado ryu organisations require completion of a special course in addition to attaining a certain dan rank.
Schools that use the same belt colour for multiple kyu ranks typically, although not necessarily, use stripes to indicate progress within that belt colour.
The founder of Wadà Â-ryà «, Hironori à Âtsuka, was born on 1 June 1892 in Shimodate, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. In 1898, à Âtsuka began practicing koryà « jujutsu under Chojiro Ebashi. From 1905âÂÂ1921, he studied Shindà  Yà Âshin-ryà « jujutsu under Tatsusaburo Nakayama. In 1922, he met Gichin Funakoshi and began to train under him. In 1924, à Âtsuka became one of the first students promoted to black belt in karate by Funakoshi. To broaden his knowledge of Karate, à Âtsuka also studied with other prominent masters such as Kenwa Mabuni of Shità Â-ryà « and Motobu Chà Âki.
By 1927, à Âtsuka had become an assistant instructor in Funakoshi's Shotokan school. In 1929, à Âtsuka organised the first school karate club at Tokyo University. Eiichi Eriguchi coined the term 'Wadà Â-ryà «' in 1934.
In 1938, à Âtsuka registered his style of karate with the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai under the name of "Shinshu Wadoryu Karate-Jujutsu." Soon after, however, this was shortened to "Wadà Â-ryà «" (Ã¥ÂÂéÂÂæµÂ). In 1938, the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai awarded à Âtsuka the rank of Renshi-Go, followed in 1942 by the rank of Kyoshi-Go. It was around this time that Tatsuo Suzuki, founder of the WIKF, began training in Wadà Â-ryà «. In 1944, à Âtsuka was appointed Japan's Chief Karate Instructor. In 1946, à Âtsuka awarded Tatsuo Suzuki the rank of 2nd dan.
Around 1950, Jiro à Âtsuka (the founder's second son) began training in Wadà Â-ryà « while in his adolescent years. In 1951, à Âtsuka awarded Tatsuo Suzuki the rank of 5th dan, the highest rank awarded in Wadà Â-ryà « at that time. In 1952, the Wadà Â-ryà « headquarters (honbu) was established at the Meiji University dojo in Tokyo. In 1954, its name was changed to Zen Nippon Karate Renmei (All Japan Karate Federation). In 1955, à Âtsuka published "Karatejutsu no Kenkyu," a book expounding his style of karate. In 1963, he dispatched Suzuki, along with Toru Arakawa and Hajimu Takashima, to spread Wadà Â-ryà « around the world.
In 1964, the Japan Karate Federation (JKF) was established as a general organisation for all karate styles. Wadà Â-ryà « joined this organisation as a major group. In 1965, à Âtsuka and Yoshiaki Ajari recorded onto film (which is now still available on two video tapes) much of the legacy of Wadà Â-ryà « karate. The first video, "Wadà Â-ryà « Karate Volume 1," consists of: in-depth history and recollections; demonstrations of the eight Kihon No Tsuki body shifts; the first five Kihon-Kumite; and the kata Pinan 1âÂÂ5, Kà «shankà «, Jion, Naihanchi, and Seishan. The second video, "Wadà Â-ryà « Karate Volume 2," consists of: more history; the kata Chintà Â, Niseishi, Rà Âhai, Wanshu, and Jitte; as well as Kihon-Kumite 6âÂÂ10, along with application. In 1966, à Âtsuka was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Fifth Class by Emperor Hirohito for his dedication to the introduction and teaching of karate. On 5 June 1967, the Wadà Â-ryà « organisation changed its name to "Wadà Âkai."
In 1972, the President of Kokusai Budà  Renmei, a member of the Japanese royal family, awarded à Âtsuka the title of Meijin. In 1975, Suzuki received his 8th dan, the highest grade ever given (at the time) by the Federation of All Japan Karate-dà  Organisations, and was named Hanshi-Go by the uncle of Emperor Higashikuni.
In 1980, as the result of a conflict between à Âtsuka and the Wadà Âkai organisation over personal withdrawals from the organisation's bank accounts, he stepped down as head of the Wadà Âkai. Eiichi Eriguchi took over his place within that organisation. On 1 April 1981, à Âtsuka founded the "Wadà Âryà « Karatedà  Renmei." (Renmei means "group" or "federation.") After only a few months, he retired as head of this organisation. His son, Jiro à Âtsuka, took his place. On 29 January 1982, Hironori à Âtsuka died, and in 1983, Jiro à Âtsuka succeeded him as grandmaster of Wadà Â-ryà «. The younger à Âtsuka changed his name to "Hironori Otsuka II" in honor of his late father. In 1989, Tatsuo Suzuki founded the third major Wadà Â-ryà « organisation, "Wadà  Kokusai" (Wadà  International Karatedà  Federation; WIKF). (Kokusai means "international.") In 2011 following Suzuki's death, Jon Wicks succeeded as the WIKF chief instructor. In 2015 following Jiro's death, his son Kazutaka succeeded him as grandmaster of Wadà Â-ryà «, assuming the name "Hironori Otsuka III".
Wadà Â-ryà « is spread between three independently-led organisations: Wadà Âkai, Wadà  Kokusai and Wadà Â-ryà « Karate-dà  Renmei.
Wadà Â-ryà « has been spread to many countries in the world, by both Japanese and non-Japanese students of Hironori Otsuka. Japanese Wadà Â-ryà « stylists Tatsuo Suzuki, , , H. Takashima, , Yoshihiko Iwasaki, and many others spread the art in Europe. , Masaru Shintani and Isaac Henry Jr. spread the art in the United States and Canada, Joaquim Gonçalves (from Portugal) and many others have helped to spread the style in their respective countries. In 1968, Otsuka promoted Cecil T. Patterson of the United States to 5th dan, and charged him with the creation of the United States Eastern Wado-Kai Federation (USEWF).
Following the split between Otsuka and the Wado-Kai in 1980, Patterson and the USEWF (renamed: United States Eastern Wadà Â-ryà « Karate Federation) remained with Otsuka. Following Patterson's death in 2002, his son John T. Patterson assumed the presidency of the USEWF. Patterson's organisation continues as an active member of the Wadà  Ryà « Karatedà  Renmei. In the UK, Wadà Â-ryà « has been cited as a key influence in the development of the hybrid martial art Sanjuro.